WASHINGTON –On the eve of the three-day Food and Drug Administration meeting to discuss the recent failures of the agency in allowing potentially fatal drugs on the market, Congressman Bart Stupak (D-MI) commented on the FDA announcement to establish an independent monitoring board.

“While I question the motives behind the timing of the FDA announcement to create a drug safety oversight board, I am pleased that the FDA acknowledges that the status quo is not adequately protecting the American public.”  

“For years I have been calling for stronger drug safety oversight. While this is a step in the right direction, lives are at stake and the FDA needs to ensure this oversight board is not another empty promise but rather a measure for more accountability. Unless the American public and Congress demand these results, nothing will change.”  

“The devil of this new plan will be in the details.  Acting Commissioner Crawford needs to come before Congress and explain his vision regarding drug safety and the details of this proposal, including what power this new Board will have.  A board with no real power and no real independence will do little to improve drug safety.  I look forward to working with the FDA to ensure that Americans have a truly independent voice on drug safety issues.”

“With the recent news of Dr. Crawford’s nomination as permanent Commissioner, I would hope that he has learned from the past challenges and is willing to work with Congress on these serious public health issues.”

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